Archive for the Okazu News Category


Breaking News: Yuricon on the Daily Kos

June 1st, 2009

I was fully prepared to do a review today, but instead would like to nod in thanks and awe at Okazu Hero Bruce McF for his article on today’s Daily Kos:

What Can Newspaper Reporters Learn From Yuricon?

For one thing, Bruce really *gets* what I say about niche marketing, and he shows an understanding of social media that far outweighs most Marketing Directors’. It’s a very good article and I hope you will read it all the way through and vote Bruce chocolate chip cookies at the end, because he definitely deserves a cookie for his efforts.

The comments interest me, as someone almost immediately tries to diminish the impact of the message by forcing it back into the anime box – and not just that, but the “oh, it’s those gals talking about Yuri, how cute and pointless” box. Bruce deftly points out that my social media skills are useful for more than “just Yuri.” I would have commented myself but new accounts are embargoed for a week on Diary posts. :-)

This is not an isolated behavior, either. I’ve seen it occur in other male-dominated discussion forums and I dare say every female gamer runs into it on a regular basis. A recent quote on Simon Jones’ blog over at Icarus netted a comment that read something like, “I totally respect what those dykes are doing” which contradicts itself fascinatingly. :-)

But I digress. The point is that Bruce’s article is good, it’s a genius expression of Project Engage and along with voting Bruce a pile of chocolate chip cookies, he’s just gotten himself promoted to Okazu Superhero. Because I reward engagement.

Thanks for the great article, Bruce!





Yuri News This Week – May 16, 2009

May 16th, 2009

Get Okazu on your Kindle! It’s a super cheap monthly subscription and will be delivered directly to your reading device with every update. Okazu is already not the only anime/manga blog – you can also get Mangablog, Anime Almanac, Comics Worth Reading and more. If I do say so myself, Okazu looks pretty cool on Kindle. ;-)

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Yuri Anime

The website for the Lyrical Nanoha Ist movie is open – now with trailer. There was some outrage at the character designs (why fans get outraged so easily over every little thing still fascinates and bewilders me) but they appear to look pretty much on model to me. Better than the inconsistent designs of the first series, to me anyway. This movie is a “retelling” of Nanoha and Fate’s meeting, so I expect fans will be outraged at that, too. :-)

Anonymous wrote in to point out that the finale for Candy Boy aired last week, inciting as much controversy here on Okazu as it does anytime we talk about it. The ONA was extremely popular and undoubtedly a successful venture in Japan. I would be very very interested to know if that translated to good sales. Here’s a question for those of you who liked the series – would you buy the DVDs? My gut tells me that the audience here in the west is unlikely to covert to a market and thus, while the series is popular, it would not be financially successful, should it be released here.

Sean was immensely pleased to note that the Simoun box set shipped a full *month* early from Right Stuf. Sadly, the link above is to Amazon from which it has not yet shipped.

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Yuri Manga

Sevens Seas will be releasing a Kashimashi ~ Girl Meets Girl Omnibus, it looks like in two volumes. Release date is later in 2009.

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Yuri Live Action

Whenever I mention this series, controversy breaks out, because while those who think it is Yuri see it clearly, equally those who do not, have kittens. Nonetheless, a live-action version Bubblegim Crisis 2012 has been greenlighted. Since the plots of all previous series weren’t exactly examples of excellent writing, when it gets rendered down into the same one move all action movies are right now, it ought to be fine. :-) However, as it is live-action, expect no Yuri, except in your imagination.

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Did I mention you can get Okazu on your Kindle? Seriously, I’m totally stoked about that. lol

Anyway, this is a good place to stop for this week.

Just a quick reminder – do not write in to ask me *why* I haven’t written about something – write in to tell me about something you want me to write about! I can’t be everywhere, I don’t follow everything and your eyes and ears are absolutely crucial to letting me know. Be part of the Yuri News Report, drop me a line at anilesbocon01 at hotmail dot com with Yuri news you want to share!





Okazu Reader Survey Results

September 17th, 2008

I promised this a while back. Here’s the data from the Okazu Reader Survey. I’ve left out the specifiv qualitative responses, because I want to collate them a bit before giving you a list of your own top sources. In the meantime, enjoy!
Survey Statistics
 
Viewed 428
Started 300
Completed 299
Completion Rate 99.67%
Drop Outs (After Starting) 1
  • Average time taken to complete survey : 4 minute(s)

What gender do you identify as?
Frequency Analysis
Answer Count Percent
20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
1. Female 217 73.06%
2. Male 77 25.93%
3. Transitioning/Other 3 1.01%
Total 297 100%
Key Analytics
Mean 1.279
Key Facts
  • 98.99% chose the following options :

    • Female
    • Male
  • Least chosen option 1.01% :
    • Transitioning/Other
Confidence Interval @ 95% [1.226 – 1.333]

n = 297
Standard Deviation 0.472
Standard Error 0.027

What is your age?
Frequency Analysis
Answer Count Percent
20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
1. 13-18 39 13.13%
2. 18-25 139 46.80%
3. 25-35 75 25.25%
4. 36-45 25 8.42%
5. 46 and over 19 6.40%
Total 297 100%
Key Analytics
Mean 2.481
Key Facts
  • 72.05% chose the following options :

    • 18-25
    • 25-35
  • Least chosen option 6.4% :
    • 46 and over
Confidence Interval @ 95% [2.364 – 2.599]

n = 297
Standard Deviation 1.033
Standard Error 0.060

Where do you live?
Frequency Analysis
Answer Count Percent
20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
1. Africa 1 0.34%
2. Asia 22 7.41%
3. Australia 14 4.71%
4. Canada 22 7.41%
5. Europe 30 10.10%
6. Japan 2 0.67%
7. Latin America 8 2.69%
8. Mexico 3 1.01%
9. Pacific Rim 0 0.00%
10. United Kingdom 11 3.70%
11. United States 174 58.59%
12. Other 10 3.37%
Total 297 100%
Key Analytics
Mean 8.623
Key Facts
  • 68.69% chose the following options :

    • United States
    • Europe
Confidence Interval @ 95% [8.233 – 9.013]

n = 297
Standard Deviation 3.431
Standard Error 0.199

What, if any, sexual orientation do you identify yourself as?
Frequency Analysis
Answer Count Percent
20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
1. Lesbian 87 29.39%
2. Gay 3 1.01%
3. Bisexual 77 26.01%
4. Straight 94 31.76%
5. Queer 12 4.05%
6. Other 23 7.77%
Total 296 100%
Key Analytics
Mean 3.034
Key Facts
  • 61.15% chose the following options :

    • Straight
    • Lesbian
  • Least chosen option 1.01% :
    • Gay
Confidence Interval @ 95% [2.858 – 3.209]

n = 296
Standard Deviation 1.540
Standard Error 0.090

How often do you read Okazu?
Frequency Analysis
Answer Count Percent
20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
1. Once a week 74 24.92%
2. 2-4 times a week 92 30.98%
3. 5 days a week or whenever you update 131 44.11%
Total 297 100%
Key Analytics
Mean 2.192
Key Facts
  • 75.08% chose the following options :

    • 5 days a week or whenever you update
    • 2-4 times a week
  • Least chosen option 24.92% :
    • Once a week
Confidence Interval @ 95% [2.100 – 2.284]

n = 297
Standard Deviation 0.810
Standard Error 0.047

When was the last time you bought a Yuri anime or manga?
Frequency Analysis
Answer Count Percent
20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
1. Within the last week 72 24.24%
2. Within the last month 101 34.01%
3. Within the last 3 months 56 18.86%
4. Within the last year 47 15.82%
5. I dont buy anime or manga 21 7.07%
Total 297 100%
Key Analytics
Mean 2.475
Key Facts
  • 58.25% chose the following options :

    • Within the last month
    • Within the last week
  • Least chosen option 7.07% :
    • I dont buy anime or manga
Confidence Interval @ 95% [2.336 – 2.613]

n = 297
Standard Deviation 1.217
Standard Error 0.071

What do you like about reading Okazu?
Frequency Analysis
Answer Count Percent
20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
1. Reviews of English Anime and Manga 217 16.16%
2. Reviews of Japanese Anime and Manga 248 18.47%
3. Yuri News Report 207 15.41%
4. Insights and Opinions 209 15.56%
5. Snarky Humor 200 14.89%
6. Lesbian Perspective on Yuri 185 13.78%
7. Links to Anime and Manga on Amazon and Amazon.co.jp 54 4.02%
8. I really wish I didnt have to, but youre the only game in town. 10 0.74%
9. Other 13 0.97%
Total 1343 100%
Key Analytics
Mean 3.615
Key Facts
  • 34.62% chose the following options :

    • Reviews of Japanese Anime and Manga
    • Reviews of English Anime and Manga
  • Least chosen option 0.74% :
    • I really wish I didnt have to, but youre the only game in town.
Confidence Interval @ 95% [3.513 – 3.717]

n = 1343
Standard Deviation 1.904
Standard Error 0.052

Is Okazu your only source of anime/manga news?
Frequency Analysis
Answer Count Percent
20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
1. Yes 77 25.93%
2. No 220 74.07%
Total 297 100%
Key Analytics
Mean 1.741
Confidence Interval @ 95% [1.691 – 1.791]

n = 297
Standard Deviation 0.439
Standard Error 0.025

Do you attend anime/manga events:
Frequency Analysis
Answer Count Percent
20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
1. Once a year 88 29.73%
2. Twice a year 24 8.11%
3. 3-5 times a year 18 6.08%
4. Im an insane otaku and attend every event I can get to 6 2.03%
5. I dont attend anime/manga events 160 54.05%
Total 296 100%
Key Analytics
Mean 3.426
Key Facts
  • 83.78% chose the following options :

    • I dont attend anime/manga events
    • Once a year
  • Least chosen option 2.03% :
    • Im an insane otaku and attend every event I can get to
Confidence Interval @ 95% [3.219 – 3.632]

n = 296
Standard Deviation 1.812
Standard Error 0.105





Slowing Down

July 28th, 2008

Just a quick note to let you all know that reviews will be undergoing a significant slowdown for the forseeable future. I’ll do my best to keep ’em coming regularly, but if you don’t see me for a few days at a time, don’t worry. Work is taking up a lot more of my time than previously, and I have less time to read and watch, and to write reviews. I’ll try to get something in tonight, and then as often as I can manage.

Thanks for understanding!





This Week in Yuri – May 24, 2008

May 24th, 2008

Yuri Anime

I spoke to Right Stuff this week, about Maria-sama ga Miteru and the second subtitle track. They basically said that they know that the audience for Marimite is pre-existing, with high expectations, and not off-the-street 12-year olds in Best Buy. They told me that they actually got emails that said that if they left out the honorifics, that the writer would not be buying it, which didn’t surprise me in the least. It was refreshing to speak to a company that gets fandom, really. The media rep assured me that they really want to do the best possible job for the fans, and I believe her. After our conversation, I’m completely convinced that they *get* it.

The other thing I asked, which I was fairly certain I would not get an answer for was – how are sales going? I knew they wouldn’t tell me numbers, but was it 100 units or 1000? This is what I got in reply – “We were very, very, *very* pleased with sales.” Like myself, many folks ran out and bought all three season sets. :-) But that third “very” was encouraging.

If you haven’t ordered yet, here is the link for Season 1 pre-order on Amazon. :-) (Available, like so much great Yuri anime, through the Yuricon Shop!)

I was also told that they’ve got some cool things planned for the series and to keep my ears to the ground. Previously, I had suggested to Pizza Hut that they run a campaign here (I’m sure you can imagine the confusion and bewilderment with which that suggestion was met…) but seriously, how much fun – and how bizarre! – would that be here in the US? lol I wrote a fanfic about the Pizza Hut campaign, a while back, after a comment I made on the last “Now This is Only My Opinion.” I put it up on “Worldshaking” Fanfic for you to enjoy. (Oh, oh – but here’s the funny thing! I saw a picture of Yumi, Yoshino and Shimako eating pizza in an official ad, and you know, I was *very* close in my fic. lol)

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Yuri Manga

Yuri fan flojistik informs us that Maka-Maka is now available in French through Amazon.Fr! I know a lot of people would like to see it in English – I also know that there’s a company working on it, so just be patient, ‘kay? :-) In the mean time, French readers can enjoy ther own edition of this adult Yuri manga. If someone gets it, please write in and let us know how it is!

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Okazu News

Thanks to my loyal readers for wondering about that Yuri Wishlist being unpopulated for so long. The balance finally shifted in my piles on the table here and I’ve repopulated it, if you care to sponsor reviews once again. I’m going to do my utmost to review every day this coming week, and get that “to-review” pile halved.

Also, since Amazon is *still* not carrying Mai Otome 4, if someone wants to volunteer to get me that from another source, I’m going to accept graciously. Just email me first, because I don’t want to get 4 copies.

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Other Yuri Interest

It’s not a very active group, but I’ve created an IRC channel to talk in detail about all things Marimite – #[email protected]. This is a spoiler chan for the novels, anime and manga, and we do talk about fine points of what’s going on with MASSIVE spoilers. So if you don’t want to know what happens, don’t join. lol If you want to talk about inexplicable Shimako things, and fine points of Yoshino references, this is the place for you!

And for something completely different, through Mangablog, whch got the link through When Fangirls Attack, here is an essay by Kristin McCauliff about gender roles in Revolutionary Girl Utena. It’s feminist, but not lesbian, but still totally relevant to our interests. :-)

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That’s it for this week. As always, if you have Yuri news you want to share, or any new or obscure series in which you feel there’s a little Yuri you’d like people to know about, feel free to email me with the Subject line “Yuri News” (so my idiotic spam filter doen’t lose it) and I’ll tell the world!! :-)